Week 24 of the English Premier League gets underway next Wednesday morning Australian time as eight of the ten round matches are contested simultaneously.
Manchester United face a tough task in staying in touch with the leading group when the face Stoke City, but the week is undoubtedly highlighted by a match between Leicester City and Liverpool.
We’re offering the best odds on the widest range of markets for Week 24 of the English Premier League!
Norwich City vs Tottenham Hotspur
Norwich City were unlucky not to take anything from their thrilling 5-4 encounter with Liverpool last weekend, and face an uphill battle to return to winning form at home to Tottenham on Wednesday morning. Spurs continued their charge towards the top three with a classy 3-1 win over crosstown rivals Crystal Palace and now sit just under two wins off the pace of leaders Leicester City. At home Norwich are far more capable of a good performance but even then they have often found it difficult to convert a win. A draw represents terrific value however it’s hard to see anything but a Spur win being played out.
Arsenal vs Southampton
While a stalwart in the Premier League top four, Arsenal are a serious title threat this season but will have to produce a far-better effort than that which saw them lose to Chelsea in Week 23 if they are to hold the pressure on the likes of Leicester and Manchester City. The Gunners have been largely consistent and realistically should be winning the league, but blemishes like last weekend’s have meant they are still caught in the pack. Southampton have not been particularly convincing since Christmas but appear to have steadied their campaign thanks to an impressive 1-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford last weekend. At home, Arsenal should be too good.
Leicester City vs Liverpool
The match of the round will likely be played when Leicester and Liverpool meet at King Power Stadium early Wednesday morning Australian time. Leicester have been nothing short of terrific this season and now sit a win ahead of all their competition on 47 points. Boasting a rock-solid defence, slick midfield and potent attack spearheaded by cult hero Jamie Vardy, nothing appears capable of slowing the Foxes historic run. Liverpool have again been up and down and don’t really appear capable of competing with the league’s best at this stage. In current form, Leicester should win and at great odds.
Sunderland vs Manchester City
In what could be the most one-sided fixture in week 24 of the Premier League, cellar-dwellers Sunderland host Manchester City, who are only one win off the pace of Leicester. Sunderland have managed a couple of good performances this season, but their 14 losses have really come at a cost and they will certainly be entrenched in the fight for demotion again this season. The Black Cats drew with Bournemouth last weekend and will take some confidence from that, however City won passage through to the League Cup final with a 3-1 defeat of Everton midweek and will realistically be too classy when they travel to Sunderland.
West Ham United vs Aston Villa
Wednesday morning’s match between West Ham and Aston Villa will probably be one of the more well-contested fixtures of week 24, regardless of the expanse of space between the two on the ladder currently. West Ham produced another gutsy effort to hold Manchester City to a 2-2 draw last weekend and are well in contention for a Europa League berth while Villa are locked to the bottom of the table, and drew with West Brom last weekend. West Ham at home should prove a little too great a task, but this seems like one of those matches where anything is possible.
Crystal Palace vs Bournemouth
A London derby will be contested between Crystal Palace and Bournemouth at Selhurst Park in Week 24 of the Premier League. Palace returned to competition in typically good form this year but have fallen out of touch through recent weeks and have slipped to eleventh overall owing to a winless streak that spans back to Week 17. The Cherries have pulled up and out of the drop zone since Christmas but will have to win matches like this win if they are to assure themselves another season in England’s top flight. Consider backing a draw at current $3.25 odds.
Manchester United vs Stoke City
Manchester United suffered another shock defeat at home to Southampton last weekend and while still in touch with the leading group, don’t really look like they will be challenging for the title this season. Stoke City can probably be forgiven for losing to Leicester last weekend, and their form of the last two months has been good; seeing Mark Hughes’ men up to ninth overall and within striking distance of a Europa League position. If Manchester United are any hope of salving their title hopes they’ll win, but it’s hard to say what will happen in this match.
West Bromwich Albion vs Swansea City
West Brom were held to a draw by the last-placed Aston Villa last weekend but remain tied on points with Chelsea and appear well away from the relegation fight this time around; something that has generally plagued the club through their stints in the top league. Swansea City have been particularly disappointing this time around and sit fifteenth overall following a host of forgettable performances and results. This match could fall either way and a draw is worth consideration at current $3 odds.
Everton vs Newcastle United
Everton crashed out of the Capital League Cup midweek but are offered a good chance at redemption when they host Newcastle in Week 24 of the Premier League. The Toffees have not made a particularly large impact on the Premier League thus far but sit 12th overall and can climb into the top ten with the right results this weekend. Newcastle have started to make very slow inroads since Christmas but have plenty of work to do if they are to survive the drop. This match always produces top quality football but we’re confident Everton will get the job done at home.
Watford vs Chelsea
Week 24 of the Premier League will draw to a close when Watford and Chelsea meet in the second London Derby of the round early Thursday morning Australian time. Watford remain mid table following a string of very competitive results while Chelsea have started to build off their terrible season start; still undefeated since the arrival of interim Manager Guus Hiddink and full of confidence after seeing off fierce rivals Arsenal last weekend. Chelsea probably should start favourites and still offer great value at current $1.95 odds in win-draw-win markets.